So I'm going off on the Big Gay Cruise end of next week with friends. I've never been on a cruise before, much less a big gay one. I'm told they're wicked fun, but I must admit to being nervous.

Apparently sea sickness is a big deal. I'm told you don't know until you set sail, and you're sick for 3 days if it hits you. wtf! I mean, I've been on passenger and car ferries before and been totally fine. I think the longest was the ferry to Fire Island, which I think was maybe 20-25 minutes. I didn't feel anything from that. And I totally got through the first mission on Call of Duty 4 with no issues.

I'm a bit worried about having my digital leashes cut. I doubt they have GSM in the middle of the ocean (where do you put the towers?!?). The gods only know how Internets works out there (how do they get the tubes out there?!) Is there a Manhunt location for "Middle of the Ocean"?

Then... they say "drinks are included" in the price, but then mention something about a bar tab? wtf!

I've been on hold forever to find out. They're amazingly sketch on information on their website. I assume that means it's all bad, bad, bad news.

Wow, I'm impressed with the big gay cruise-ness. i wonder how many "single" rooms they set aside for, y'know.

as for sea sickness...on the upside, Liberty is a MASSIVE (160,000GRT, 1,112' long, 126' wide, 28' draft) ship, meaning that it'll ride through small waves with nary a thought since most wave lengths are much, much shorter so it'll never get caught in between troughs and such. And it's pretty brand-spankin new (kinda jealous!), so it's got excellent stabilizing technology. But that's not to say it won't sway...and sway just enough that your eyes and ears won't match. And since there's lots of interior space, there's no horizon to stabilize to. And of course, if there's any rough weather where primary waves do have long wave lengths, then you could start feeling stronger pitch and roll, but the caribbean at this time of year should be relatively calm.

Of course, you could also just be drunk the entire time and never know if it's just you or the ship.

I don't know how atlantis does it, but general RCI cruises include non-alcoholic drinks for free, or you buy a "drink card", and then there's the tab for alcoholic drinks.

i think you'll enjoy having the leashes cut. it's kinda freeing. though i wonder how many will shell out the 50c/min to go cruising on manhunt.

have fun! RCI has great ships, and Liberty just seems amazing. I've cruised twice with RCI, and the third's in two months, so they must be doing something right. :-)

ps - if you don't take advantage of FlowRider or the ice rink, i'll be upset. And...i'm pretty sure Liberty has the self-leveling pool tables. First experienced that in 2001 in Alaska...takes a bit to get used to because it then becomes very obvious that the ship IS moving, but it's awesome that you can play pool at sea.

I know you are a chaste and demure young man of high moral standards, but if you're going to go on one of those types of cruises, I really hope you spend at least 1/3rd of it pinned underneath a really hot pair of doctor/lawyer boyfriends.

After all, its a vacation. Just remember to come up for air and apply cool lotion to tender areas before sleeping.

If I remember my last job correctly...water, and tea is like free. However, alcoholic drinks are not free and you can buy a drink card or you can put them on your room key. You pay that the end with the pursor.

Please take pictures, video if need be and be prepared to tell me sordid details of things you see. I have always wanted to go on one and want to know how far people go on those cruises.

they give pills for sea-sickness to anyone that asks, they charge for internet, and they charge for anything over the one drink a day that is complimentary, or with any excursion that you choose to take. Anything in addition to that one drink will cost you. the dinners are all extremely small, that is why they are many courses.

o.O dinners are small? or do you mean individual portions are small properly sized so that you can actually make it through the 7-course meal, plus an extra appetizer and two extra desserts? i always left the dining room full.

besides, the ship has a Ben & Jerry's, a 24-hr diner, and of course, the room service and midnight buffet. all free! well, not too sure about B&J's, but the rest.